Machine for stamping small objects



July 21, 1959 E. E. VAN KEKEM MACHINE FOR STAMPING SMALL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 13, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet I1 E. E. VAN KEKEM MACHINE FOR STAMPING SMALL OBJECTS July 21, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 15. 1954 July 21, 1 5 E. E. VAN KEKEM- 2,8953409 MACHINE FOR STAMPING SMALL OBJECTS Filed Sept. 13, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 QW/JV/J "129 125a July 21, 1959 E. E. VAN KEKEM MACHINE FOR STAMPING SMALL OBJECTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 15, 1954 un l l l n 2,895,409 MACHINE FOR STAMPING SMALL OBJECTS Eize Egbert van Kelrem, Amsterdam West, Netherlands,

assignor to Combinatie N.V. En Amsterdamsche Bandoengsche & Nederlandsche Kininefabriek, Amsterdam,

Netherlands, a corporation of the Netherlands Application September 13, 1954, Serial No. 455,626

16 @laims. (Cl. 101-44) The invention relates to a machine for stamping or applying indicia to the surfaces of small objects and particularly objects having curved concave surfaces such as pills or tablets. The machine embodies the principles of oflf-set printing in which the indicia is applied to a resilient transfer pad and then to the objects, the pad being adapted to conform to the shape of the curved surface of the object.

The machine is completely automatic, with a high capacity but nevertheless accurate in its operations. It is particularly marked by its ability to handle and accurately to apply printing matter to objects of small charactor and in a rapid manner and without fracturing the objects even though they may be relatively fragile as is often the case with pills or tablets. The machine embodies a new but relatively simple combination of elements adapted to achieve such results.

Certain variations are required as between the stamp ing of tablets on the one hand or the stamping of round ,pills on the other hand, and an important feature of the invention and mechanism involved relates to the ready manner in which the machine may be converted in its use and operation from one to the other. Of particular importance is the combination of features whereby round objects such as round pills may be printed by an operation in which the indicia are applied to the object while effecting a rolling movement thereof relative to the trans- .fer pad, .the operation being altogether automatic.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus embodying features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect the operation described, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of .the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

.Fig. 1 is an elevation of a machine partially in cross :section and to some extent diagrammatic showing the ,general relation of the assembled parts adapted to elfect means for transferring the objects to the printing position and showing also the mechanism for supporting spherical objects such as pills during the printing thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism of Figure .2 taken on the line 3--3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective showing more clearly :some of the elements of the pill transfer means and the .tracks along which the pills are rolled;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the transfer slide; Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the cam means for operating plungers on which the objects are supported during .part at least of the stamping operation;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the same cam means :as adjusted for stamping pills showing the different zones .of the cam corresponding to diflerent events of the cycle;

Figs. 8 to 11 are diagrammatic views showing successive steps or events of the cycle;

Figs. 12 to 15 are fragmentary views showing the parts tates Part modified for the stamping of tablets, the successive views corresponding to successive positions and events in the cycle;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical view of the stamping block partly in section;

Fig. 17 is a vertical view partly in section of the mounting means for the type blocks; and

Fig. 18 is a view in perspective of the type block plate.

The general layout of the machine including the principal features thereof is shown in Figure 1. In this figure suitable parts are incorporated and adjusted for stamping spherical objects such as pills. The main shaft of the machine is indicated at 10 which may be driven by any suitable means indicated in the present case by a drive comprising a large gear 11 secured on the shaft 10 rotated by a smaller spur gear 12 to provide a speed reduction, the spur gear 12 being mounted on a shaft 13 driven from an appropriate source such as an electric motor. The machine also includes an upper rotary counter shaft 14 and a rotary shaft 15 at the right each driven from the shaft 10 by an appropriate means which may comprise a chain 16 entrained around a sprocket 17 on shaft 10, a sprocket 18 on shaft 14 and a sprocket 19 on shaft 15. The diametral relations of the sprockets are such that the shaft 14 is driven at the same speed as shaft 10 and shaft 15 at one-half the speed of shaft 10.

The machine includes a main supply container 25 adapted to feed the objects to be stamped into a trough or hopper 26 which has depending lugs .27 supported on suitable trunnions having an axis at 28 about which the hopper 26 is adapted to be rocked by means which will be described hereinafter.

The objects to be stamped are adapted to be delivered from the hopper 26 to a transfer conveyer or slide 31 horizontally reciprocable on suitable guides and supports. The reciprocatory motion for plate 31 is accomplished through a lever 32 pivoted on a fixed support at 33 and adapted to be oscillated thereon by a cam means at the lower end comprising a cam plate having a closed track 34 secured on the shaft 10 and which may be integral with or fixed to the gear 11, the lower end of the lever 32 having a roller 35 engaging in the closed track 34. The upper end of lever 32 has a part 32a engaged between two rollers 36 secured in an opening 37 in the slide 31. The character of the slide31 may be more clearly seen in the perspective view of Figure 5. As there shown in particular, the slide includes a forward plate 38 having pill receiving holes 39. The plate is removably secured to the forward end of a bar 40 by set screws 41 (Fig. 3). The conveyor slide is supported and guided altogether on anti-friction bearings comprising either roller or ball bearings. In the particular arrangement shown the forward part of the plate 38 is supported on two spaced ball bearings 42, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, mounted on suitable frame pants, and the tail .part 43 upon a roller 44 is being held down ;by an adjustable plug 45 having a felt end 45a engaging the tail part and. providing quiet running. The bar 40 is guided in its reciprocatory movement by a ball bearing 46 received in slot 47 and a similar ball bearing occupying slot 49. The 'ball bearings 46 are each mounted on a bar such as that shown at 50 in Fig. 2 which is adjustable laterally with respect to the direction of reciprocation of the slide. The ball bearings 42 are each mounted on an eccentric 42a whereby the height may be adjusted. Also the supporting axes for the rolls 36 (Fig. 1) between which the operating lever 32 extends are adjustable in slots 36a (Fig. 5). With the adjustments thus provided all lost motion is eliminated and the path of reciprocation and extreme positions of the slide may be exactly determined. The supporting ball bearings 42 produce quiet operation and together with the laterally guiding ball bearings 46 determine the path of travel of the plate 38 and, therefore, the plate 38 may have a clear passage with respect to the surrounding parts to be described later adjacent the forward stamping position eliminating sliding friction and any need for lubrication except at the supporting bearings. The slide is preferably made of a light material such as aluminum, enabling a high rate of operation and corresponding high productive capacity of the machine.

The means for directing pills to the openings 39 in the slide embodies a flexible conduit for each of the holes of a particularly advantageous type. It comprises a tubular coiled spring arrangement and in the present embodiment as adapted for stamping pills two concentric springs 55 and 56 are employed for the purpose extending between an upper plate 57 secured to the bottom of the trough or hopper 26, and a lower plate or head secured in position over and closely adjacent the upper surface of the transfer slide. The upper'plate 57 has depending stub tubes 59 and the lower head 58 has a corresponding series of stub tubes 60 extending upwardly, the stub tubes each having ends of reduced diameter forming shoulders between which the outer spring is lightly compressed. The inner spring 56 fits within the stub tubes as shown for example in Figure 2, the arrangement at the upper end being similar. The bore of such inner spring 56 communicates with a hole 61 in the bottom head 58 and the holes 61 are adapted to register with the holes 39in the transfer plate 30 when it is in its retracted position to the left as shown in Figure 2. The outer springs 55 are heavier and stiffer and are lightly compressed at each end over the reduced diameter portion of the corresponding stub tubes 59 and 60. The inner springs 56 are somewhat lighter and more closely coiled and are compressed at their upper ends into the bore of the depending tubes 59 but the lower ends are more loosely engaged in the bore of the stub tubes 60, and in effect the inner springs are suspended from their upper ends. Accordingly as the hopper is rocked the inner springs move up and down slightly in the lower tubes 60. The length of flexible conduits insures an uninterrupted supply of the objects and the weight of the column thereof insures the bottom one will be discharged into the slide opening when in registration with the conduit. The bore of the inner spring is slightly larger only than the objects to insure a single column thereof, and the thickness of the transfer plate 38 and the openings 39 therein are such as to accommodate a single object only.

In its foremost position to the right the holes 39 in the transfer slide are adapted to move over into registry with a corresponding series of holes 70 in the fixed plate .71 (Fig. 2). A series of plungers 72 are vertically reciprocable in the holes 70. The mounting means for the plungers may vary to suit the conditions, it being an important feature of the present invention to provide means forreadily substituting different plungers and correspondingly supporting means therefor in accordance with the particular objects tobe stamped. In the present "embodiment the plungers are supported and guided in a fixed frame or bracket 73 supported on the machine frame part 74, the bracket 73 having depending tubes or bracket .portions within which the plungers are vertically :slidable. The plungers are each secured in a frame which includes :a fiat bar 75 (Fig. l) operated from a bell crank 7.6 pivoted on a bearing 77 the lower end of the bell crank having a roller 78 engageable with and operable from a cam '79 .fixedon the rotary drive shaft 10. The bell crank-76 has a pair of upper forked arms 76a between WhlChllS located the bar 75. Each end of the bar 75 is provided with a roller hearing 80, one such roller being .ShOWIlxiD Figure ;1. The roller :80 in each'case rests on :a hearing plate .81 secured to the corresponding arm 7611 Of the "bell crank 76, :theroller bearing 80 being held on the plate .81 :and-enclosed .in an opening provided bythe 'Ueshaped clip "82 which, together with the plate 81, are secured tothe-bellcranlrby-meansofbolts 83. The-bearing 77 comprises an eccentric fixed to end pins 34 which are supported in the frame and may be rotatably adjusted whereby a fine adjustment of the uppermost positions of the plungers 72 may be effected. When the machine is stopped the plungers 72 may be elevated by hand independently of the operation of the other parts of the machine by any suitable means such as by a manual lever engageable With a bolt 33 or other part.

In a machine as embodied and adjusted in the form of Figures 1 to 4 for the stamping of spherical pills an auxiliary slidable plate is provided having V-shaped tracks 91 (Figs. 2 and 3) adapted to receive pills thereon from the plungers 72 in a manner to be described. In this connection it may be noted also that the upper ends of plungers 72 are provided with depressions 72 1 (Fig. 2) having a general shape corresponding to a segment of a sphere but with a V-shaped outlet to the right adapted to register with the V tracks 91. The plate 90 is slidably supported on the surface of fixed plate 71 and has end ear portions 92 (Fig. 4) which are supported upon finger portions 71a integral with and extending to the right from fixed plate 71. The rear portion of auxiliary plate 90 is guided between short bars 93. Overlyi-ng fixed bars 94 are provided which extend to the right a distance corresponding to the fingers 71a thereby providing slots for the end ear parts 92 of the auxiliary slide 90. The bars 93, 94 and the plate 71 may be clamped in place by any suitable means which may include bolts 94a. The auxiliary slide 90 is urged to the left by a pair of springs 95 (Fig. 3) tensioned in each case between a pin 96 secured in the corresponding fixed bar 93 and a pin 97 extending from the ear 92 of the slide, the inward movement of the slide being limited by engagement of the ears 92 with bars 93. The inner ends of the troughs or tracks 91 are suitably shaped to fit around and permit the elevation of the plungers 72. As heretofore described the transfer plate 38 is guided and supported by roller bearings and moves free of the spaced bars 93 and the plate 71. In the operation of the particular embodiment shown, as the plate 38 nears the end of its stroke it engages and pushes outwardly the auxiliary slide and then as the main plate 38 retracts the auxiliary slide 90 follows it for a short distance until the ends of the V-tracks register with the edges of the plunger openings in plate 71. However, by locating the pill openings 39 immediately adjacent the forward edge of plate 38 and providing the forward edge of plate 38 and the opposing edge of the plate '90 with suitably shaped complemental surfaces, the necessity for moving plate 90 may be eliminated and it made fixed as to position.

Indicia are applied to the pills by off-set printing from a transfer pad supported and operated by mechanism now to be described. Pivoted to the upper end of lever 32 area pair of spaced links or straps 100 of relatively thin material such that each may extend to the right between a pair of adjacent coil springs 55 (Fig. 1). The outer ends of the links 100 are rigidly fastened to a bearing block 101. The block is suspended on a pair of spaced arms 1'02 pivotally supported from a fixed bearing pin .103 and having trunnion connections 104 with the block 101. The front or foreground arm 102 is omitted in Fig. 1 and both arms 102 are omitted in Fig. 2 to show more clearlythe parts supported between them. As shown more clearly in Fig. 1-6 slidable vertically in the block 101 is a stem 105 to the lower end vof-which --is secured a plate 106. A printing pad supporting head 107 is secured to plate 106 by means of apair of fastening screws 106a. The head 107 is made adjustable relative to plate 106 for leveling purposes and for height by means of screws 103 threaded through plate 106 at the four corners with the lower ends adapted to engage against plate 107. Secured to thelower face ofthe head 107 is :a printing pad .109 of suitable resilient material such as synthetic rubber. The stem 105 and parts .as-

:sernb'led to its lpwer end are urged upwardly relative to block 101 by a spring 110 compressed between the block 101 and an upper enlarged head 111 on the stem. The uppermost position relative to block 101 of plate 106 and the pad assembled thereto is regulated by a set screw 101a threaded through block 101. A pair of dowel pins 106b secured in plate 106 extend upwardly through holes in block 101 and maintain the plate and block parallel. The downward movement of the stern 105 and its printing pad is effected by a mechanism comprising a earn 112 on shaft 14 acting on lever 113 pivoted on pin 114 between the levers 102, the lever having a clevis 115 pivoted to the opposite end into which is threaded a pin 116 vertically slidable in lug 117 integral with a bridge extending between the two levers 102, the lower end of the pin being in engagement with the head 111. The lowermost position of plate 106 is regulated by rotating pin 116 through its enlarged annular part 118 and locking the pin in place by thumb screw 119. Referring to Fig. 16, it will be seen that plates 106 and 107 and pad 109 are securedto stem 105 and are vertically reciprocable in block 101 as a unit. They may be moved downwardly together by pressing on the head 111 of stem 105, slidable in block 101, and compressing spring 110. The block 101 is secured to the outer ends of links 100 but is vertically supported by links 102 engaged over trunnions 104.

The trunnions permit any slight angular movement which block 101 may undergo in moving from the position shown in Fig. 1 to its left hand position. The stem 105 and the unit noted above secured thereto are free to be vertically reciprocated at any position of the arms 102 and links 100. Referring to Fig. 1 rocking of lever 113 on its pivot 114 in a clockwise direction, for example, depresses the right end and thereby screw pin 116 which is free to slide in guide lug 117 and the lower end of pin 116 abuts against and depresses head 111 and its stem 105 to which the plates 106 and 107 and pad 109 are secured. By disconnecting the left end of straps 100 from the upper end of operating lever 32 the arms 102 may be swung to the position indicated by broken lines at 102 in Fig. 1 which is an important advantage in that it turns the pad 109 out to a position for convenient inspection and cleaning or other purposes.

The indicia transfer pad receives its ink markings from a type block assembly arranged for the stamping of pills substantially as shown generally in Figures 1 and 2 and in more detail in Figures 17 and 18. The assembly includes a plate 125 on which are mounted the individual indicia blocks 126 provided at 127 with the appropriate lettering or design. The plate 125 is removably mounted on a table 125a by fastening screws 128 extending through slots 125 in plate 125 and threaded into table 125a. The table 125a is adjustably supported on a frame part 129 by four set screws 128a, threaded through table 125a, one being located at each of the four corners of the table. the plate 125 having cut-out corners 125" to provide a free space for the set screws 128a. Two guiding dowel pins 128b are also provided secured to the table and slidably received in holes in the frame part 129. The plate 125 and table 125a are adjustably located and clamped within the channel opening of the frame part 129 by opposed set screws 130 pressing against bars 131 which in turn press against the edges of the plate and table. Loosening the screws 130 permits the whole set of blocks 126 as assembled upon plate 125 to be removed for inspection, cleaning or other purposes without risk of disturbing the exact adjustment. The adjustment means for both the type and the transfer pad insures that they contact to the precise degree required. Also the pad operating means insures it will be moved slowly and directly into contact. Since at the time the lowering of the pad begins the lever 113 is moving to the right and cam 112 is rotating clockwise, the acceleration will be gradual and smooth. Movement to the right, however, will have ceased by the time the pad contacts the type.

The trough 26 is intermittently rocked to feed pills into the flexible conduits and insure a supply thereof to the transfer slide. For this purpose a rocker arm 132 is mounted on a pivot pin 133 having a finger engageable by a dog or cam 134 on shaft 14 and another finger en gageable against the wear strip 135 on the edge of the trough. The right side of the trough is thereby intermittently depressed against spring resistance which may be provided by the conduit springs 55 and then suddenly released by the cam or pawl whereby the trough is rocked back, that is counter clockwise, by the springs and brought abruptly to a stop resulting in a jarring which shakes the pills or other objects to the lower right hand side and into the conduits.

Ink may be applied intermittently to the type 127 in timed relation with the operation by any suitable means. The details thereof are not important with respect to the present invention but there is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure l the general features of a mechanism adapted to serve the purpose. It comprises a large inking drum mounted on and rotatable with shaft 15 to which ink is applied from a roll 141. A transfer roll 142 is supported on arms 143 of which one is located beyond each end of the large roll 140, the arms being pivoted at 144 to fixed frame parts. The support for the roll 142 includes at each end a rod 145 on which the roll is mounted, the rod being slidable in a lug 146 in the corresponding arm 143 and urged downwardly by a compression spring 147 positioned between a disk 148 on the rod and the lug 146 on the arm whereby in the position shown in Figure l the transfer roll 142 is held against the surface of the rotary ink drum 140. The arms 143 each carry a roller 149 held by a tension spring 150 in engagement with a cam 151 secured on rotary shaft 15. As the cams 151 are rotated the arms 143 are swung counter clockwise causing the transfer roll 142 to be rolled over the face of the type 127. The shaft 15 rotates at one-half the speed of the main shaft 10 and countershaft 14 but since the cams 151 have two identical lobes the type faces are inked once each cycle.

Discharge chute means for the stamped objects arranged in a manner suitable for the particular case will ordinarily be provided, such a means being shown generally at 155. The cam means for controlling the operation of the plungers is designed to permit rapid lowering and in fact substantially free falling thereof at one point in the cycle. To prevent dislocation of the object on the upper end of the plunger it maybe desirable to dampen the end of the downward stroke of the plungers 72. Such a means is indicated at 156 (Fig. l) which includes a button 157 adapted to contact against the bell crank 76 under the urge of a light spring 158, the unit including a dash pot piston connected to the stem 159 the dash pot being of any standard construction adjustable in its effect as by a needle valve operable from the stem 160.

Reference has been made to the open cam plate 79 for operating the bell crank 76. It has also been described that the machine may by simple changes be adapted for stamping different sizes and shapes of objects. Such changes may include the substitution for cam 79 of other cams of different shape. The cam 79 may, however, be made sectional and thereby adjustable within certain limits. Such a means is illustrated generally in the more detailed Figure 6. The main cam part 79 is mounted on or integral with a disk which is secured on the main shaft 10. Secured to cam 79 is an auxiliary cam section 171. Adjustment thereof may be effected in various ways but in the construction shown the section 171 has a sleeve extension 172 fitted over an inner sleeve 173 secured to rotate with the shaft 10. A nut 174 is threaded on sleeve 173 and clamps the parts in place. As positioned in full lines in Figure 6 the section 171 has no function and the cam plate 79 is adapted to impart a cycle of movements to bell crank 76 appropriate for 7 stamping tablets in a manner to be described. The section 171 is secured in the full line position by a locating set screw 175 which extends through a hole in the section and is threaded into the main cam part 79. The section 171, however, is adapted to be positioned as shown in broken lines 171. In that case the set screw 175 extends through the hole 176 in the section. At one or more certain points in the cycle it may be desirable to provide closed cam portions to insure that the roller follows the inner cam. For example, when the transfer slide 38 moves to the right it is of course important that the plungers 72 are retracted out of the path of the slide. The counter cam part 177 secured on the disk 170 is effective for that purpose.

The operation of stamping pills or other spherical objects will now be described particularly in connection with the diagrammatic illustrations in Figures 7 to 11. The cam segment 171 is in the adjusted position shown in Figure 7 to form an enlarged zone e which includes the segment e. It may be assumed that the parts are at the point of the cycle indicated in Figure 1 and also Figure 8. The transfer slide 3% and the ink transfer pad have been moved over to their extreme right hand positions and the small cam 112 on shaft 14 has brought the pad down into engagement with the dies 127 and the pad is receiving the ink impression. Cam 79 has rotated to a point such that roller 78 on bell crank 76 has left the segment a and moved down the abrupt incline b and accordingly plungers 72 have dropped to their lowermost position and each carries a pill P in the depression in the upper end thereof which has been deposited therein from the opening 39 in the transfer slide when roller 78 was on cam segment a and the plunger 72 was in correspondingly elevated position with the upper end just below the lower surface of the transfer slide 38.

In the next phase of the cycle the transfer pad 109 is first raised out of contact with the die through release by the cam 112 (Fig. 1) and then the pad and the transfer slide move to their extreme left hand positions corresponding substantially to those shown in Figure 9. Auxiliary slide 90 also follows slide 38 to the left for a short distance until the ends of the troughs register with the edges of the openings in the supporting plate for the plungers 72. During this step the segment ofconstant radius of cam 79 is advancing along the roller 78 and there is no movement of plungers 72.

In the next phase the roller 78 is engaged by the cam segment d of increasing radius and the plungers 72 are elevated to the position shown in Figure bringing the pills into engagement with the pad 109. It will be noted, however, that the ink marking M is toward the left edge of the pad and not over the pill at this stage. While the plungers are being elevated the slide 38 and the pad 109 remain stationary.

In the next phase, indicated in Figure 11, the plunger remains stationary while the transfer pad moves to the right remaining in contact with the pill and rolling it from the plunger and along the V-shaped tracks 91. At about the time the pills enter the tracks 91 the ink impression arrives over the pills and is rolled thereon. In the meantime the slide 38 is also advancing to the right but befor it reaches the plungers 72 the roller 78 has moved down the incline f of cam 79 to the Zone a and the plungers are retracted below the bottom edge of the slide 33 and ready to receive the next pill P which was deposited in the slide in its retracted position. The counter cam 177 insures that the plungers will be lowered in time. The pill which has been stamped, of course, rolls from the end of the track 91 and drops into the discharge chute 155. If desired the, discharge end of the track may be inclined downwardly to the right. With the type of track shown or with one formed by two spaced strips with a depression between, and comprising in effect in either case a V-shaped track, the spherical object contacts along two lines and'the printing may be made to lie in the equatorial 8. Zone between the two lines and not engage against the support.

As has been pointed out above, the machine may be readily adapted for stamping objects of different sizes'and shapes. As described up to this point the machine is particularly adapted for stamping spherical objects such as pills. If necessary the plungers 72 and their supporting guides 73 and the transfer slide parts. and the flexible feed conduits may each be changed to accommodate different size objects. Other die parts 126 bearing different indicia may of course be substituted. Also, with but a small amount of change of parts and easily effected adjustment, the machine may be adapted either for stamping pills by a rolling operation as described or for stamping objects by direct contact while held stationary. The

latter is illustrated by the stamping of tablets which commonly are of a general disk-like shape but with opposed faces which are convexly curved. Figures 12 tolS show the machine with parts substituted therein for that purpose. A transfer slide 190 is substituted for the slide 38 by manipulation of the fastening screws 41 (Fig. 3). The forward edge of slide 190 preferably has secured thereto a flange part 191 to insure direction of the tablets into the chute as will be described below. The auxiliary slide with track sections like that at 96 is omitted. The plungers 192, have a symmetrical concave upper end. The supporting bracket for the plungers may bechanged if necessary and a bracket 193 employed suited to the size and number of plungers 192 desired. The dies 194 may be generally similar to the dies 126 of the machine as adjusted for stamping spherical objects except reversed as to position whereby the ink impression is applied to a different area of the transfer pad for purposes which will appear in the description of the operation. Cam 79 has the auxiliary section 171 adjusted to the full line position shown in Figure 6 where it is ineffective. Figs. 12 to 15 show an arrangement of springs 55 and 56 forming the flexible feed conduits similar to that employed for pills. However for tablets the outer stitfer spring 55 is normally adequate and the inner spring may be omitted.

Figure 12 shows the parts at substantially the same point in the cycle as in Figure l and also in Figure 8 with the conveyor slide and ink transfer pad 109 at their extreme right hand positions and the pad engaged against the die, and the plungers 192 are at their lowermost position. A tablet T has been deposited from the opening in the slide onto the end of the plunger and the plunger moved down sufficiently as roller 78 advanced along segment b of the cam 79 so that the top of the tablet clears the bottom of the slide 190 as the latter is retracted. In Figure 13, which corresponds to Figure 9, the slide and pad have been moved to their extreme left hand position and segment 0 of cam 79 is advancing along the roller 78 (Fig. 7) and the plungers 192 remain stationary. Then while the slide and pad remain stationary the plungers 192 are raised to the position shown in Figure 14 as roller 78 is engaged by the zone d of increasing radius of cam 79 and the tablet is pressed against the ink impression 195 which, it may be noted, is toward the right hand edge of the transfer pad, which is opposite to that produced in the operation of Figures 8 to 11. With the cam section 171 adjusted as shown in Figure 6, the roller 78 rides down the cam incline f (Figure 6) and the plunger 192 begins to move downwardly from the position shown in Figure 14 before the pad 109 begins to move to the right. Accordingly the stamping is done by direct engagement and there is no relative lateral movement between the plunger and pad while the tablet is engaged with the pad. In Figure 15 the transfer slide and pad are moving to the right and roller 78 is in engagement with cam section a and the plungers are sufiiciently retracted as to be below the bottom edge of the slide. Commonly some or all of the tablets will adhere to the pad 109 following the stamping but will be dislodged into the chute 155 by engagement with the wall 9, 155a as the pad moves to the right, as indicated in Figure 15. Any tablets which remain on the plungers will be pushed therefrom by the guard 191 and the overhanging portion of the guard will insure that the tablets are deflected into the chute.

It is to be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and operation of the machine and in the particular methods of stamping described and that various features may be added to the machine without departing from the principles of the invention, and it is intended that the particular embodiment and the matter contained in the description shall be interpreted as illustrative.

I claim:

1. In a machine for stamping small objects with ink indicia, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor slide having a plurality of openings therein arranged to receive one of the objects in each of the openings and convey them to a stamping station, secondly an indicia applying member, and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member for making a simultaneous motion to a forward and retracted position, said member reaching said stamping station when said unit arrives at a retracted position, said unit being arranged to make a reciprocable movement interrupted by periods of rest, feeding means for feeding the small objects to the openings during one period of rest, and stamping means for bringing the small objects into contact with the indicia applying member, the stamping occurring in said period of rest.

2. In a machine for stamping small objects with ink indicia, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor slide mounted for reciprocable movement having a plurality of openings therein arranged to feceive one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member for making a simultaneous motion to a forward and retracted position, said member embodying a transfer pad of resilient material to which the ink indicia are preliminarily applied, said unit being arranged to make a reciprocable movement interrupted by periods of rest, automatic means for so reciprocating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said openings at one position of said unit during one period of rest, and a stamping station embodying plunger means and operating means to move said plunger means transversely to said unit for receiving said objects from the openings in said slide during a second period of rest, the operating means for said plunger means being related to the operation of said transfer pad thereafter to bring the objects into stamping engagement with said ink indicia.

3. In a machine for stamping small objects with ink indicia, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor mounted for horizontal reciprocatory gliding movement having a series of openings therein each arranged to receive one of the objects, secondly an ink indicia applying member, and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous horizontal movement to a retracted and forward resting position, automatic means for discontinuously reciprocating said unit, means for feeding objects to the openings at said retracted resting position of said unit, and a stamping station at said advanced resting position of said unit, said stamping station including a plunger for each of said openings vertically reciprocable transversely to said unit and arranged and operated to have the head of the plunger below the level of the gliding plane of said conveyor at the moment the conveyor arrives in said advanced resting position to receive on the upper end of said plunger the object and said plunger being movable downwardly during a resting period to permit said object to move below said conveyor, and being movable upwardlyafter retraction of the conveyor to elevate said object into engagement with the indicia applying member with the latter then being at rest, and means for so operating said plungers in timed relation with the reciprocation of said unit.

4. A machine for stamping successively small objects in automatic continuously repetitive cycles of operation having in combination a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor slide supported for horizontal discontinuous reciprocatory movement by anti-friction bearings, said conveyor having a series of vertical holes through it, each said hole being adapted to receive one of the objects, secondly an ink indicia applying member, and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member to make a simultaneous horizontal movement to a retracted and an advanced resting position, automatic means for disoontinuously reciprocating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said holes at said retracted resting position of the unit, a horizontal plate arranged below said conveyor to retain the objects in the holes at said retracted position and to support the objects when moving with the slide in its advance, a series of vertically reciprocatory transfer plungers arranged at a stamping station at the end of the path of advance of the slide, each plunger corresponding with a vertical hole in said slide' and adapted to register therewith and receive an object therefrom when the slide arrives in its advanced resting position, the plungers having a depression in the upper end for supporting the object, said indicia applying member being positioned over said stamping station when the unit is in its retracted resting position, and automatic means for so reciprocating said plungers and adapted to lower the plungers before the conveyor starts to retract to permit said conveyor to retract free of the objects and thereafter to elevate the plungers to engage the objects with the indicia applying member.

5. In a machine for stamping small objects with ink indicia, a unit consisting firstly of a conveyor slide supported by anti-friction bearings for horizontal discontinuous reciprocatory movement over a horizontal plate, said slide having a series of vertical holes therethrough each arranged and of a size to receive one only of the objects and move it with the slide over said horizontal plate from a retracted resting position towards an advanced resting position, secondly of an ink indicia applying member including an indicia transfer pad of resilient material, and thirdly of means connecting said slide and said member to make a simultaneous horizontal movement, automatic means for so operating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said holes at said retracted resting position, and a stamping station comprising a plunger for each of said holes vertically reciprocable transversely to said unit in guides through said horizontal plate under the path of said slide in said advanced resting position, each plunger having a depression in the upper end adapted to receive the object from the corresponding hole, means for operating said plungers, said horizontal plate providing surfaces under said slide for retaining the objects in said holes until reaching said advanced resting position, the objects in said holes being received on the plunger heads then positioned on the level of the horizontal plate, said plungers being operated in timed relation with the unit to permit the objects to move below the slide during a period of rest of said unit in said advanced position before the unit is retracted, and then to elevate the objects to present them to said indicia transfer pad, the objects engaging the transfer pad in the next period of rest.

6. In a mechanism for feeding a succession of like small objects, an overhead supply hoppenan elastic tubular conduit comprising an inner relatively easily flexed coiled spring having a bore slightly larger than the objects to insure an orderly single column thereof and an outer larger and relatively stiff supporting coiled spring adapted to confine the inner spring, said springs being secured to the bottom and said inner spring communieating with the interior, of said overhead supply hopper, means for imparting a' rocking motion to said hopper, said inner spring having a lower end arranged over the oa f nd a a ed to regi ter wi n n g predetermined position of "a movable conveyor, said opening being adapted to. receive therein a single one of said objects and thereafter to be advanced by the con veyor, said rocking of the hopper causing an alternatively pressing and stretching of the outer spring, and the inner spring only loosely moving up and downward to insure a regular feed and careful treatment of the objects into and through the conduit.

7 A machine for stamping successively small objects in automatic continuously repetitive cycles of operation having in combination a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor slide mounted for horizontal discontinuous reciprocatory movement on supporting anti-friction bearings over a horizontal plate, said slide having a series of vertical holes therethrough each adapted to receive one of the objects, secondly an ink indicia applying mem her and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member to make a simultaneous horizonal motion, automatic means for so reciprocating said unit including movement to a retracted restingposition and an ad'- vanced resting position, means for feeding the objects singly to each of said holes at said retracted resting position of said unit comprising an overhead supply hopper, an elastic tubular supply conduit for each of said holes secured to the bottom of and communicating with the interior of the hopper and having a lower end arranged over the corresponding hole in the retracted resting position of said unit, means for rocking said hopper and thereby alternatively pressing and stretching said elastic conduit, the horizontal plate being arranged to retain the objects in the openings at said retracted resting position and during their movement with the slide in its advance to said advanced resting position of the unit, plungers arranged at said advanced resting position and means for operating them in timed relation with said unit and positioned and operated to receive the objects on the heads of the plungers and to permit the objects to move downwardly during the resting period in the advanced resting position of the unit and to present the objects after retraction of the slide upwardly to said indicia applying member.

8. A machine for stamping successively small objects in automatic continuously repetitive cycles of operation having in combination a main frame, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor supported for horizontal discontinuous reciprocatory movement on antifriction bearings mounted in said frame, said conveyor having a series of openings therein each adapted to receive singly one of the objects, secondly an ink indicia applying member, and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous horizontal movement including movement to a retracted resting position and an advanced resting position, means for so reciprocating said unit, means for feeding objects to said openings at said, retracted resting position of said unit, said objects being carried along by the conveyor in its movement to said advanced resting position, a plunger supporting bracket removably mounted on the frame below the conveyor having on top a horizontal plate to restrain the objects in the openings of said conveyor and to support the objects when moving said conveyor, a series of plungers mounted for vertically reciprocatory movement in said bracket comprising a plunger for each of said openings, means connected to the plungers for so operating them, said plungers being arranged and operated to receive the objects from the corresponding openings, permit them to move downwardly, and after retraction of the conveyor elevate them into engagement with said ink indicia applying member, said bracket and said conveyor being readily removable and operating connections for said conveyor and said plungers, said operating connections being readily detaohable to enable the substitution of other corresponding parts adapted for difierent type and size objects.

9. In a'machine for stamping small objects, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor mounted for discontinuous reciprocatory movement having openings therq l for receiving one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an indicia applying member including a transfer pad, and thirdly operating means connected to said conveyor and said member for making a simultaneous motion to a forward position and a retracted resting position, means for supplying objects to said openings at :said retracted resting position of said unit, dies and inking means therefor, the operating means for said member being operative intermittently to move said pad over and into engagement with said dies, plungers mounted for reciprocatory movement transversely to said unit and means for operating the plungers in timed relation with said unit to permit the objects to move from said openings in said conveyor to a place below the path of said conveyor before said conveyor is retracted free of the objects, and thereafter, when the conveyor has start-v ed to move towards its retracted resting position, to move the objects upwardly into engagement with said pad, said pad arriving over said plungers when the unit arrives at its retracted position, and over said dies ,when the unit is in its advanced position.

10. In a machine for stamping small objects, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor mounted for discontinuous reciprocatory movement having openings therein for receiving one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a stamping pad of resilient material, and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a isirnultaneous motion to a retracted resting position and an advanced resting position, means for supplying objects to said openings at said retracted resting position of said unit, plungers reciprocable transversely of said unit and adapted to permit the objects to move from said openings in said advanced resting position of said unit to a point below the path of said conveyorat which time said conveyor is retracted, and to move the objects upwardly to the stamping pad after the conveyor has started to move towards said retracted position, and means for so operating said unit and said plungers comprising a first rotary cam, a pivoted lever connected to be moved in between two extreme positions, in which positions the lever is held in rest for part of the cycle by said cam, and having operative connections to discontinuously reciprocate said unit, a second rotary cam operated in timed relation with said first cam, and connections for reciprocating said plungers from said second cam.

11. In a machine for stamping small objects a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor mounted for discontinuous reciprocatory movement having openings therein for receiving one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a stamping pad of resilient material, and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous movement to an advanced resting position and a retracted resting position, means for successively supplying objects to each of said openings at said retracted resting position of said unit, plungers reciprocable transversely to said unit and adapted to permit the objects to move from said openings in said advanced resting position of the unit to a point below the path of said conveyor before the conveyor is retracted free of the objects and to move the objects upwardly into association with the stamping pad after the conveyor has started to move towards said retracted position, and means for so operating said unit and plungers in timed relation com prising a rotary operating shaft, a first cam mounted thereon, a pivoted lever having on one end a roller engaging the track of this cam to be moved in between two extreme positions, in which positions the lever is held in rest for part of the cycle by said cam, and an opposite end connected to discontinuously reciprocate said unit,

13 a second cam mounted on said shaft, and connections for reciprocating said plungers from said second cam.

12. In a machine for stamping small objects a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor mounted for discontinuous reciprocatory movement having openings therein for receiving one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an indicia applying member including a stamping pad of resilient material mounted on a bearing block, which is pivotally suspended on a pair of spaced arms, and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous reciprocatory movement in timed relation, said means including a pair of spaced links, said links being easily disconnected to enable the stamping pad to be swung out to a position for cleaning and inspection, and means for receiving the objects from said openings and presenting them to said stamping pad in timed relation with the reciprocation of the unit.

13. A machine for stamping successively a series of small objects in automatic continuously repetitive cycles of operation having in combination a main frame, a unit consisting of firstly a conveyor slide mounted for discontinuous horizontal reciprocatory movement in said frame on supporting anti-friction bearings over a horizontal plate, said slide having a series of vertical holes therethrough each adapted to receive one of the objects, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a stamping pad of resilient material on a bearing block which is pivotally suspended on a pair of spaced arms pivotally connected to said frame, and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member to make a simultaneous horizontal movement including a pair of spaced links fastened to said bearing block, automatic means for so reciprocating said unit to a retracted resting position and a forward resting position, said links being pivotally and removably connected to said automatic reciprocating means, means for supplying objects to said holes at said retracted resting position of the unit, dies and means for regularly inking the dies, said objects being carried along by the slide in its movement to said forward resting position While simultaneously the stamping pad moves towards said dies to receive ink impressions in a predetermined area thereof, which impressions are to be transferred to the small objects, a plunger support ing bracket removably mounted on the frame below the conveyor having on top said horizontal plate to restrain the objects in the holes of said slide, a series of plungers mounted for vertical reciprocatory movement in said bracket comprising a plunger for each of said holes, means connected to the plungers for so operating them, said plungers being arranged and operated to receive the objects from the corresponding holes in a forward resting position of said unit, to permit them to move downwardly free of the conveyor, during which operation the conveyor is at rest, and after retraction of the conveyor bring them into engagement with the stamping pad at VB. moment in Which the unit is in its retracted resting position.

14. In a machine for stamping small objects having a circular cross section, a unit consisting of first a discontinuously reciprocable conveyor having openings therein arranged to receive one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a movably mounted stamping pad and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous movement to a retracted resting position and an advanced resting position, automatic means for so reciprocating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said conveyor in said retracted resting position of the unit, plungers being arranged and operated to receive the objects from said conveyor in said advanced resting position of the unit and for presenting them there-after to said stamping pad when said conveyor is retracted, means for applying ink impressions to said stamping pad, a support for the objects along which they are rolled after they have been brought into contact with said stamping pad, the movement of the object. being efiected by the movement of the unit, and causing the simultaneous application of indicia to the object, and means for operating said unit and said plungers in timed relation.

15. In a machine for stamping small objects having a circular cross section, a unit consisting of firstly a discontinuously reciprooable conveyor having openings therein arranged to receive one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a movably mounted stamping pad and thirdly means connecting said conveyor and said member to make a simultaneous movement to a retracted resting position and an advanced resting position, automatic means for so reciprocating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said conveyor in said retracted resting position of the unit, plungers being arranged and operated to receive the objects from said conveyor in said advanced resting position of the unit and for presenting them thereafter to said stamping pad when said conveyor is retracted, means for applying ink impressions to said stamping pad, a support for the objects including a track for each of the objects embodying a groove with sides between which the object is laterally guided as it is advanced along the groove after it has been brought into contact with said stamping pad, the movement of said objects being efiected by the movement of said unit, causing the application of the indicia to the objects as they are rolled along the tracks, and means for operating said unit :and said plungers in timed relation.

16. In a machine for stamping small spherical objects, a unit consisting of firstly a horizontal discontinuously reciproca-ble conveyor slide having openings therein adapted to receive one of the objects in each of the openings, secondly an ink indicia applying member including a movably mounted resilient stamping pad and thirdly means connecting said slide and said member to make a simultaneous movement to a retracted resting position and an advanced resting position, means for so reciprocating said unit, means for feeding the objects to said slide in said retracted resting position of said unit, means for successively applying ink impressions to a predetermined area of said stamping pad, a support for the spherical objects having a V-shraped track for each. of the objects, a series of plungers mounted and operated for vertical reciprocatory movement adapted and arranged to receive the objects from the corresponding openings in said advanced resting position of said unit, permit them to move downwardly free of said slide, during which operation the slide is at rest, and after retraction of the slide bring them into engagement with said stamping pad and at the beginning of said V-shaped tracks, said plungers having an object supporting depression in the upper end with a V-shaped outlet towards the corresponding one of said tracks, said plungers in an elevated position being adapted to engage the objects against said pad in an area which does not contain the ink impressions, said plungers in said position bringing the objects into registration with the entrance of said tracks, means for moving said stamping pad parallel to said tracks while being in engagement with the objects thereby to roll the objects from said plungers and along said tracks simultaneously rolling the ink indicia onto the surface of the objects, and means for operating the unit and the plungers in timed relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 651,329 Hagen June 5, 1900 1,435,743 Salfisberg Nov. 14, 1922 1,437,409 Evans et al. Dec. 5, 1922 1,476,224 Salfisberg Dec. 4, 1923 1,831,868 Karp Nov. 17, 1931 1,955,775 Schlitz Apr. 24, 1934 2,627,809 Worth Feb. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 502,800 Canada May 18, 1954 

